Duplicating or stencil printing machine



3-Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

H. W. LOWE. DUPLIGATING 0R STENCIL PRINTING MACHINE No. 584,787.

Patented June 22, 1897.

.Wifizeas es,

(No Model.) I 3 Sheets-41mm; 2.

H. W. LOWE.

DUPLIGATING 0R STENGI L PRINTING MACHINE. No; 584,787. f Patented June22, 1897.

lJNrrnn STATES PATENT Orrrcc.

HARRY WV. LOYVE, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA,,ASSIGNOR OF ONEHALF TO JOHN G.CORTELYOU, OF SAME PLACE.

DUPLIOATING OR STENCIL-PRINTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 584,787, dated June22, 1897. Application filed August 27, 1896. Serial No. 604,096. (Nomodel.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY IV. LOWE, a ciiizen of the United States,residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Duplicating or Stencil-Printing Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the'art to which it appertains to make. and use thesame.

This invention relates to an improvement in duplicating orstencil-printing machines; and it is embodied in the construction andarrangement of parts of the machine illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is designed an improvement 011 that class of machineswherein a movable member is employed, which member carries a stencil andis equipped with means for applying ink to the stencil.

The invention, generally speaking, consists in improved means forcarrying the stencil, means for regulating the extent of the prin tinginterval, improved means for applying theink to the stencil, and,further, in means, mechanisms, and features, whereby the machine isrendered perfect, easy, and positive in operation.

In the drawings forming a partof the specification, and in which likeletters of reference designate corresponding parts in the differentviews, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a frontelevation showing parts in section. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinalsection. Fig. 4 is a similar view showin g the machine with itsactuating parts in a position opposite that shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is adetail section taken on the line 5 5, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail sectionon the line 6 6 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 7 is a detail section on the line '7'7 of Fig. 2, looking to the left.

In the drawings, A designates the base, and B 13 the verticalsupporting-frames located on opposite sides of the base. The frames l3B'lare formed with the horizontal top bars I), connected with each otherat or near their centers by a shaft or cylindrical bar 0, which is. heldin any convenient manner fixedly against rotation.

On the shaft O at opposite ends are loosely mounted the wheels orspidersD D, each having the i nwardly-extending marginal flanges D andbeing rigidly united or connected together by the cross-bars (Z (1,located at substantially diametrically opposite points at the peripheryof the wheels. The bars (I d have the inwardly-extending flanges dthereon, through which suitable screws are passed into the metal of thewheels, thus forming the securing means between the bars and wheels. Thebar (1 is formed with a longitudinal channel in its outer face, intowhich the end of a stencil supporting and carrying plate E is bent,which plate extends from bar to bar. v

d designates a clamping-bar located in the channel over the end of thesteneil-carrying plate. This bar is by preference removable and is heldin place so that it can be easily detached by the locking-buttons F, oneat I each end of the bar, each having a flanged periphery f, formed witha recess or cut-out portion f. The buttons are pivoted on the sides ofthe wheels by the pins f and they are arranged directly in line with thechannel, so that When the openings or cut-out portions f are oppositethe ends of the channel the bar can be forced down below the flanges f.The buttons are then turned, bringing the flange over the end of thebar, which is thereby securely locked in place. The purpose of makingthe bar (Z removable is to permit of placing the end of the stencil pador cloth and the end of the stencil, when desirable, in the channel andclamping the same there.

The bar 01 is formed in a manner similar to that of bar (1, with theexception of the channel, which is of a Width substantially twice thatof the'channel of bar d, for the purpose of accommodating twoclamping-bars, which are designated byee. The bar 6 is clamped in placeby the buttons F in a manner similar to the bar (l while the bar 6 issecured in place by screws e B y this means the stencil cloth or pad canbe secured by the bar 6, while the front of the sheet of stencil-papercan be independently secured by the bar 6. The stencil supporting orcarrying plate E is conveniently formed of perforated metal ofsufficient strength or stiifness to maintain its shape. It is secured atits ends by the bars 6 61 as above stated, and preferably along itsedgesby screws or other means directly to the wheels. It is, however, tobe understood that the plate can be secured to the wheels in anyconvenient or desirable manner, it being necessary only that the same beheld firmly on the wheels. By the employment of the plate E a firm evensupport for the stencil is provided and on which a pad or cloth can beplaced and held, it being desirable in this class of machines to have ayielding surface against which the stencil rests, inasmuch as thestencils are generally very thin, being usually constructed of waxedpaper. I have not shown the cloth or pad referred to, but have made thereference more particularly for enlarging on the use and importance ofthe carrier-plate E.

On the inner faces of the wheels D D opposite the carrying-plate are theinwardlyextending flanges or ledges G, the same being parallel with theflanges on the periphery of the wheels and located a short distanceinwardly therefrom. At the ends of the flanges are formed inclined websg, the inner portions of which are formed by the inner edges of thebar-flanges (Z The webs, ledges, and flanges of the wheels formcontinuous tracks having a concentric and eccentric section for purposespresently to be explained.

The carriage formed by the construction described is free to rotate onthe shaft or bar 0, and to provide aconvenient means for ro tating thesame I preferably mount a short shaft h in a bearing at the front end ofthe top bar of frame B. On the outer end of this shaft is keyed a handleh and on the inner end is keyed or otherwise fixedly secured the pinion79, which meshes with a gear H, adjustably secured to the outer face ofthe wheel D, the same being loosely supported on the shaft 0. In thegear H is formed a curved elongated slot H, through which a screw-bolt72 is passed, the latter engaging in a threaded chamber of a lug 7L onwheel D. By tightening the screw it the Wheel H is tightly held againstthe lug and wheel. A series of blocks or lugs 7L5 may be employed toform rests for the opposite orother portions of the gear when tightened.

Fixedly secured on the hub of the gear II is a cam K, the active face ofwhich is proportioned in length so that it will act for a period equalor substantially equal to that of one-third of the movement of thecarrier. On the inner face of the gear is secured a pointer H whichextends out to or near the periphery of the carrier and is designed toindicate the position of the heading on the stencil.

L designates-the inking-roll, located within the carrier and mounted ona shaft Z, which carries at its opposite ends the rolls or wheels Z,located adjacent to the carrier-wheels D D and arranged to travel on thetracks formed on the wheels as the carrier is rotated. As theinking-roll engages the inner face of the perforated plate, itserves thedual purpose of distributing the ink as well as positively forcin g theink through the perforations.

The inking-roll is by preference held from outward movement by thewheels Z engaging the track and from inward movement by the yieldinglysupported rods m, which have forked outer ends fitting over theroll-shaft. These rods m pass through arms 0 0, formed on brackets O,which are adj ustably secured on the shaft 0 against rotation byset-screws 0 On the rods "m are the coiled springs it, their lower endsbeing fixedly secured to arms 0, while their upper ends pass through thearms 0 and are in any convenient manner loosely secured to nuts a,threaded on the ends of the rods, so that as the nuts are adjusted up ordown on the rods the tension of the springs will be correspondinglyvaried.

The inking-roll, as shown in the drawings, is located at the bot-tom ofthe carriage; but it is often found desirable to apply the ink at pointsabove or to one side of the center, and it is also often necessary tohave the roller at an exposed point beyond the stencil when applying inkthereto. By making the brackets O adjustable the position of the rollcan be readily changed.

Below the carriage is located the feeding and impression roll P, mountedon a shaft 19, which has its ends journaled in semicircular grooves 19,formed in the upper edges of the swinging arms P P which are pivoted attheir rear ends to the frames B B. The arms P P extend forward to apoint adjacent to the front of the machine, and they have their forwardends bifurcated at 10 The crossbar q of a crank-shaft Q passes throughthe bifurcations of the arms. The shaft Q is journaled at opposite endsin the frames and at one end is provided with a handle q. R designatescoiled springs connected to the forward portion of the arms P P andhaving their upper ends secured to screws 19 which pass through brackets19 on the frame and are capped by nuts 19 By this means it will bereadily understood that the tension of the springs may be varied.

On the upper edge of the arm P at or near its center is formed theupwardly-projecting lug R, having a forwardly-extendin g end locateddirectly over the bearing for the roll P. On the forwardly-extending endis secured a projection R7, having a vertical opening atherein and aset-screw r passing longitudinally through its end. In the opening 1 isplaced the lower end of a link R the same being secured and held, butcapable of ad justment, by the set-screw. The upper end of the linkcarries a block S, the same being held thereon by set-screws 8. On theblock is formed a short shaft (shown in dotted lines, Fig. 5) whichcarries an antifriction-rolls arranged in the path of the cam K and withwhich the same engages during rotation.

To guidethe link R at post T is formed on the frame B, which has aflange at its upper end through which the link passes.

By the employment of the link and cam above referred to it will be seenthat as the cam presses the link down the arm P is pressed down, whichin turn rocks the cranklIO shaft Q, which causes a simultaneous movementof arm P thus lowering the roll P evenly. It will also be noticed thatthe radial length of the cam K is such that the down movement of theforward ends of the arms P P is insufficient to cause the crank-shaft torock from a horizontal to a Vertical position, and thus lock the armsdown, as will be seen by referring to Fig. 1, the dotted linesindicating the throw of the shaft by the cam. However, the movement ofthe crank-shaft can be so timed, through the adjustment of the link Rthat at each revolution of the carrier the feed or impression roll willbe locked against up movement.

WVhen the adjustment is as shown in Fig. 1 and it is desired to hold theroll Pdown out of the path of the stencil, it is only necessary to throwthe crank-shaft down to a deadcenter by using the handle thereon.

U designates a tilting and removable feedtable resting on a cross-bar aof the frame and having finger extensions u at its forward end. Thetable is held from longitudinal movement by having lugs a secured in itsopposite sides, (shownin dotted lines, Fig. 3,)

which work in' U-Lshaped brackets V, cast on the inner face of theframes. To limit the upward movement of the inner end of the table,set-screws v n are passed through the tops of the brackets and extenddown, so that the lugs u will engage therewith. By this adjustment thefingers on the inner end of the table can be properly arranged, so thatthey will be out of contact with the carrier as Well as in the properrelation to the plane of theupper face of roll P.

\V designates a receiving-tray having an up turned rear end and lateralhooks in at its forward end. These hooks take over U-shaped wire guidesW, secured to the base adjacent to the frames. The receiving-tray can'bythis means be moved in, as shown in Fig. 3-, or out, as shown in Fig. 1,in which latter position it is in proper place to receive the printedcopies as they leave the machine.

In operation when the impression-sheet is properly placed on the tableand a stencil has been properly adjusted on the carryingplate thepointer is then adjusted by moving the gear until the former registerswith the commencement of the heading of the stencil sheet. Thisadjustment moves the cam to a point where it will act on the link R andforce the roll P down, retaining it in such a position until theheadingof the stencil is immediately between the roll P and inking-roll, atwhich moment the cam will leave the friction-roll of the link R and thesprings on arms P P will elevate roll P" and cause the impression to bemade without acting on the plain part of the stencil above the heading.The carrier having turned, the sheet is printed, and it is thendeposited in the tray. During the movement of the carrier theinking-roll is first raised by the in clines and ledges on the wheels.It is then lowered into position by the springs of the rods m, and forthe rest of the movement of the carrier the roll travels on theperforated stencilcarrying plate, the pressure forcing the ink throughthe perforations.

The plate, as will be seen, acts as a pressure roll, thus avoiding thenecessity of employing a separate pressure-roll to act in conjunctionwith the feed-rol-l.

When it is desired to remove the inkingroll, it is only necessary tolower the same and then raise the rods m until theirforked ends escapethe roll-shaft.

When the stencil is attached at one end only, the ink will cause itsfree endto adhere to the pad.

It is thought the operation of the other features will be fullyunderstood from the foregoing description.

I am aware that various changes in the construction and arrangement ofthe parts can be made and substituted for those herein shown anddescribed without in the least departing from the nature and principleof the invention;

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a duplicator, the combination with a base, of a rotary open-workcarrier thereon, comprising two wheels, bars connecting the wheels, aperforated stencil-carrier and pressure-plate fixed to the wheels,-andmeans for applying ink to the inner face of the plate.

2. In a duplicator the combination with a supporting-frame, of a rotaryopen-work carrier mounted thereon, comprising end-supporting members, asegmental perforated stencil-carrier and pressure-plate secured to thesupporting members, and means for securing a stencil on the plate, aninking device within the carrier, and means for rotating the carrier.

In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, consisting of anopen frame, of means for rotating the carrier, a perforated stencilcarrier and pressure-plate secured to the carrier and extending aroundthe same a distance substantially equal to the length of thestencil-sheet to be used, and an ink distributing and forcing devicewithin the carrier.

4. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary frame, of a perforatedstencil carrying and supporting plate on the frame, a padclamp, and anindependent stencil-clamp at the edge of the plate.

5. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary frame comprising endsections and channeled bars connecting'the end sections at differentpoints, of a perforated stencil carrying and supporting plate on theframe, removable clamping-bars located in the channels, and means forretaining the bars in place.

6. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary frame comprising endsections and channeled bars connecting the sect-ions, of two independentclamping-bars in one of the channeled bars, and a single clamping-bar inthe other channeled bar.

7. In a duplicator, the combination with a feed-roll, of a pivotedcarrier, a perforated or open-work stencil-supporting section on thecarrier, the same serving as a compression roll or member acting inconjunction with the feed-roll to produce the impression, and an inkdistributing and forcing device within the carrier.

8. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, of a gearingfor rotating the same, means for adjusting the gearing, comprising acrank and pinion, and means for securing the gear in adjusted positions,a feedroll, and means associated with the roll actuated by said gearingto vary the relative positions between the carrier and roll..

9. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, of a feed orimpression roll yieldingly supported beyond the carrier, a cam carriedby the carrier, an adjustable connection between the cam and roll, meansfor rotating the carrier and means for lockin g the roll in an inactiveposition.

10. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, of ayielding supported roll beyond the carrier, an adj ustable' extension onthe roll-support, a locking device for holding the roll in an inactiveposition and means on the carrier for engaging said extension for movingthe roll outward.

11. In a rotary duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier,ofspring-supported arms below the carrier, a roll carried by the arms, alock for the arms, a projection on an arm, a cam on the carrier, and anadjustable extension on the projection arranged to be engaged by thecam.

12. In a rotary duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, ofspring supported arms below the carrier, a roll carried by the arms, aprojection on an arm, a cam on the carrier, an adjustable extension onthe projection arranged to be engaged by the same, and a crank forsimultaneously moving both arms.

13. The combination with the carrier, of the spring-actuated arms belowthe same, a roll carried by the arms, and a crank loosely engaging theends of the arms having a handle thereon.

14. In a rotary duplicator, the combination with the stencil-carrier, ofarms pivotally supported below the carrier, springs for maintaining thearms in position, an extension on one of. the arms, a slotted projectionon the extension, a link adjustably secured in the slot, a block on thelink, an antifriction-roll on the block, and a cam on the carrierengaging the roll, substantially as described.

15. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, and meansfor rotating the same, of a perforated stencil-holding plate on thecarrier, an impression roll or device, and an inking-roll, a stationarysupport for the inking-roll, and means for moving the roll out of thepath of the holdingplate, substantially as described.

16. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier consisting ofan open frame, of means for rotating the carrier, a segmentalstencil-holder on the carrier, an impression device and an inking-rollstationarily mounted relative to the carrier, means for adjusting theinking roll to engage the stencilholder at different points, and meansfor moving the roll radially, substantially as described.

17. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, of astencil-holder mounted thereon, an impression-roll, means for drivingthe carrier, and an adjustable yieldinglysupported inking devicearranged to engage the inner face of the stencil-holder, substantiallyas described.

18. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier, of aperforated stencil-holder secured on the carrier, means for securing astencil on theholder, means for applying ink to the inner face of theperforated holder comprising a radially-adjustable roll, and animpression-roll.

10. In a duplicator, the combination with a rotary carrier having astencil-holding section, of a yielding inking device and a yieldingimpression device, and means 011 the carrier for moving the inking andimpression devices out of the path of the stencil-carrier section of thecarrier.

20. In a duplicating-machine, the combination with a frame,.of a rotarycarrier, a stationary shaft on which the carrier is mounted, tracks onthe carrier, adjustable brackets on the shaft, rods yieldingly supportedon the brackets, and an inking-roll mounted on a shaft and held inengagement with the track by the rods.

21. In a duplicator, the combination with the rotary carrier, of astationary shaft on which the same is mounted, brackets on the shaft,rods slidingly engaging with the brackets, springs on the bracketsengaging the rods, and an inking device carried by the rods.

22. The combination with the frame, the

rotary carrier and feed-roll, of a horizontal support on the frame inadvance of the roll, inverted-U-shaped brackets on the frame in the rearof the support, set-screws passing through the brackets, and a tableloosely mounted on the supports and having transverse pins normallyresting on the brackets.

23. The combination with a carrier, and feed or impression device, of Ushaped guiderods below the same extending from front to rear of themachine, and a tray loosely connected to said guides.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY LOWE.

\Vitnesses:

L. G. FEENEY, E. H. MAYHEW.

IIO

